Each day has enough trouble of it’s own (Matt. 6:34). Don’t we know it? Every day there’s ample reason to run to God and say, “HELP!” — and, rightly, we should! I can’t think of a much better response to things of life that can so easily overwhelm us . . . and God is a Good Father. He knows what we need, and loves to answer us when we call.
But, what if the best response to the things of life isn’t just asking for help, but instead simply to give God praise? Loud, audacious, uncontrolled, unmetered, noisy praise!
Seem counter-intuitive? Maybe.
I was struck in reading Psalm 100:
Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth!
2 Serve the Lord with gladness!
Come into his presence with singing!
3 Know that the Lord, he is God!
It is he who made us, and we are his;[a]
we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
and his courts with praise!
Give thanks to him; bless his name!
5 For the Lord is good;
his steadfast love endures forever,
and his faithfulness to all generations.
This passage of Scripture is full of imperative statements. Statements telling us what we must do:
“Make a joyful noise,
Serve the Lord..
Come into his Presence with singing..
Know the Lord…
Enter His Gates…”
Why?
Because we are HIS; His people and His sheep. So, we know He will lead, guide, provide and protect us (v.3). And, because He is GOOD and his love endures (v.5). Armed with that Truth, we are enabled to come before Him and make JOYFUL noise.
Perhaps the most important thing we can do isn’t seeking Him for our needs? Maybe our greatest need is to Know that He is God, we are His and He is GOOD, and all the power we need can be released simply by giving Him praise!
A loud shout of praise can make immovable walls come down! Remember Jericho?
The declaration of God’s goodness can send the enemy running in the other direction. Remember Jehoshaphat’s army, sending the worshipers in front of the army?
And, what if we don’t just sing because we are in His Presence… what if we can sing our way INTO His Presence? His Word tells us He inhabits our praises (Psalm 22).
So, are you facing situations that seem impossible or immovable? Give a shout of praise, and see the walls fall!
Is the enemy coming after you with temptations, or hounding you with condemnation? Declare the goodness of God and His great love and see the enemy flee before you!
Sing your song, with all your might! You’ll find yourself in the middle of His Presence… and in Him is everything you need. It doesn’t have to be pretty, just joyful — so make some anointed noise, and see God’s power released!
Jessie Still 